[ 2023 ] Sands Of Kahana

[Mongoose]

I’m considering buying a 2 or 3 BR at SOK. I’d love to hear the opinions of both owners and those that have exchanged there. Thanks!

 

[chellej]

we exchanged into a 2 bedroom 2 years ago. Really large unit...no AC. It was ok until late afternoon when the sun beat in. The master bedroom was fine and got nice breezes but the 2nd bedroom in the back did not and got quite uncomfortable.

 

[mmm2014]

We have owned a 2bd unit for over 10 years and we use it every year. We love the location (beachfront) yet it's much quieter and more peaceful than other locations like kaanapali or Kihei. The units are huge and while there is no ac, that has never been an issue for us, we love the natural trade winds that cool the units and make the palm trees sway outside the large lanais that the units have. We have found the units to be well maintained, the grounds are well kept and lush and it never feels crowded like some resorts. The on-site restaurant is not fussy but has good variety and reasonable prices (for maui). The beach is small but very swimmable, the sunsets from your beach lounger or your private balcony are stunning.
This is not a loud party kind of resort, but if you want to enjoy a less hectic, less crowded resort, this is a good one.

 

[philemer]

Sounds like you convinced yourself.

Aren't the MF pretty high? And is it a leased property with an ending date?

 

[philemer]

we exchanged into a 2 bedroom 2 years ago. Really large unit...no AC. It was ok until late afternoon when the sun beat in. The master bedroom was fine and got nice breezes but the 2nd bedroom in the back did not and got quite uncomfortable.

That's where you stick the in-laws or grandkids.

 

[rickandcindy23]

If you use your week in the winter, it is quite comfortable. It's a very easy exchange through RCI points, so why buy? Buy an RCI points resort with low MF's and trade in. So much less expensive than the MF's. I have booked February many times and can book 14 consecutive nights at exactly 10 months out.

We do own at Hono Koa and bought oceanfront units, three weeks, and the fees are $2,600 per week. I have to book SOK with RCI Points for additional weeks to save myself some money.

 

[Sugarcubesea]

We went to Maui back in 2016 with our two young adult kids and the first week we stayed at The Westin Ka'anapali Ocean Resort Villas and the 2nd week we stayed at Sands Of Kahana in a 3 bedroom and both of our kids preferred SOK, they loved the location and they loved getting out of the pool and going to the little tiki hut restaurant by the pool...

We went in August and the breeze was enough for us and we were not suffering with being hot....

 

[rickandcindy23]

We went to Maui back in 2016 with our two young adult kids and the first week we stayed at The Westin Ka'anapali Ocean Resort Villas and the 2nd week we stayed at Sands Of Kahana in a 3 bedroom and both of our kids preferred SOK, they loved the location and they loved getting out of the pool and going to the little tiki hut restaurant by the pool...

We went in August and the breeze was enough for us and we were not suffering with being hot....

Those 3 bedrooms are amazing. Which reminds me that I should enter an ongoing search for 2025 for the kids' spring break.

 

[Sugarcubesea]

Those 3 bedrooms are amazing. Which reminds me that I should enter an ongoing search for 2025 for the kids' spring break.

@rickandcindy23 , I would like to go back to Maui when I retire in 5 years as a present to myself...I would like to stay at SOK

 

[rickandcindy23]

@rickandcindy23 , I would like to go back to Maui when I retire in 5 years as a present to myself...I would like to stay at SOK

But don't get a one bedroom, even if it's for you. Almost all of the one bedrooms have parking lot and Lower Honoapiilani Road views. They are on the back side of the resort.

Exchanging into SOK is pretty easy, at least for me. I was able to get a 3 bedroom with a Marriott's Willow Ridge STUDIO. I had to pay the upgrade fees, but it was a spring break week last year.

 

[Sugarcubesea]

But don't get a one bedroom, even if it's for you. Almost all of the one bedrooms have parking lot and Lower Honoapiilani Road views. They are on the back side of the resort.

Exchanging into SOK is pretty easy, at least for me. I was able to get a 3 bedroom with a Marriott's Willow Ridge STUDIO. I had to pay the upgrade fees, but it was a spring break week last year.

@rickandcindy23 , I would also pay the upgrade for a 3 bedroom, I love how big it was and since hubby and I are on different schedules, I like to have a lot of room that way neither of us wakes the other up

 

[rickandcindy23]

@rickandcindy23 , I would also pay the upgrade for a 3 bedroom, I love how big it was and since hubby and I are on different schedules, I like to have a lot of room that way neither of us wakes the other up

I am pretty spoiled on Westin and Maui, but SOK is right up there. I also really love Hono Koa but only oceanfront. I have five nights that I reserved via RCI Points ahead of our 3-week stay. I have my fingers crossed that we will get to stay oceanfront for those five nights. No guarantees, but I can hope.

SOK is dealing with beach erosion currently. One to try is Kahana Beach, but only the full one bedroom. Those are amazing.

 

[ORANGECRUSH]

Can anyone tell me the location of the 3 bedroom units at SOK. Going in January and wondering if I can request a decent view and not be stuck looking at a parking lot or trees. Booked with RCI points 8 nights. TIA...

 

[BJRSanDiego]

Can anyone tell me the location of the 3 bedroom units at SOK. Going in January and wondering if I can request a decent view and not be stuck looking at a parking lot or trees. Booked with RCI points 8 nights. TIA...

I've owned a 3 BR at the SOK since 2008. If you google "sands of kahana resort map" you'll get a few good images. The resort is made up of Timeshares and Fractional/whole ownership. The Fractional ownership units tend to be in the two bldgs closes to the ocean (bldgs 2 and 3) and typically have the Ocean Front units. But there are a lot of 3 BR units that have a fairly decent view of the ocean - - in either the few Ocean Front or the several Ocean View units.

"In theory" the owners are supposed to get the better views than exchangers. But I suspect that if you request a "nice Ocean View" unit you'll probably be pleased. Ask for a unit in an upper floor to minimize the chance that you're looking into the crown of a bunch of palm trees.